Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Tex., rides the elevator in the Senate. Cruz has faced criticism for his suggesting that defense secretary nominee Chuck Hagel has been “backed by Iran.” (Photo by Chris Maddaloni/CQ Roll Call)

Opinion: Sen.Ted Cruz knows no shame

During last week’s Senate Armed Services Committee meeting, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) sharply questioned Secretary of Defense nominee Chuck Hagel. He wondered whether Hagel had received money from “extreme or radical groups.” He suggested that Hagel, a fellow Republican, was not supportive of Israel. Cruz’ attacks struck many as inappropriate. As Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) told Politico, “He was engaging in innuendo, and it was terribly unfair.”

Only six weeks into his term, Cruz has made a name for himself – among members of both parties – as arrogant, confrontational, and polarizing. He exemplifies the worst of Republican obstructionism, and his extreme positions are at odds with Latino voters. It’s time the GOP presses the Cruz control button.

Republican leaders admit that Cruz went too far with Hagel. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said that his demands were “out of bounds, quite frankly.” Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) rebuked Cruz for implying that Hagel had received money from North Korea. “All I can say is that I think the appropriate way to treat Senator Hagel is to be as tough as you want to be,” he said in an interview, “but don’t be disrespectful or malign his character.” They’re both right. Cruz made serious charges against Hagel without any evidence, and his grandstanding deserved to be called out.

Unfortunately, Cruz knows no shame. At a conservative summit in January, he described both Hagel and then-Senator John Kerry as “less than ardent fans of the U.S. military.” Yet both men served in the Vietnam War before Cruz was born. Hagel earned two purple hearts and Kerry received three, along with a Silver Star and Bronze Star. Although Cruz never served in the military, that did not stop him from disrespecting two decorated veterans.

“I made promises to the people of Texas that I would come to Washington to shake up the status quo,” Cruz told The New York Times in an email. But compromise is an essential component of leadership. He could best serve his constituents by building bridges with fellow lawmakers, instead of alienating them. Cruz has already been compared to the infamous Joe McCarthy by Hardball’s Chris Matthews, bloggers, and Senator McCaskill.

Cruz’s allegations against Chuck Hagel were unfounded and offensive. Cruz is neither a good poster boy for moderate Republicans or for Latino Republicans. Texans deserve better – as do all Americans.

Raul A. Reyes is an attorney and member of the USA Today Board of Contributors.